Saturday, a couple friends and I drove up to San Javier Mission. What an improvement to the road. It is a 21 mile journey and 14 miles are paved and new bridges (puentes) built accross arroyos. Electricity was part of this project and San Javier no longer has to generate their own. The old electric meters and fuel barrel have become a museum piece with a placgue listing the names of government officials responsible for getting electircity to their community.

With 14 miles paved that leaves only 7 miles, right? It is a mighty long 7 miles of washboard with 10 mph max. Other than the washboard, the road is dirt and clear of any large boulders.

It was a beautiful day up there. As usual, it is worth the drive just to see the scenery as you go into the mountains and then to arrive at San Javier to see a beautiful oasis, and vegetable gardens and realize this little community has been self-sustaining for 400 years or so. During my last visit the mission was being renovated and that is now complete. The paintings and icons have been restored and it is beautiful.

A "must" on your visit to San Javier is to go see the 400+ year old olive tree. What a beauty of twisted limbs.

We had planned to dry camp on the mountain, but changed plans. Drove back down to Loreto, refueled and then drove the 60 miles to Playa Requeson on Bahia de Concepcion to dry camp for the night. It is a lovey white sand beach with clear light blue water (maybe robin's egg blue), a little island offshore. There are outhouses, garbage cans and a fee of 80 pesos a night. As with other beaches along this bay, venders come by to sell vegies, fish, water, rugs, jewelry....most people seem to stay about 10 days at a time, then come to town for hot showers, laundry and wifi.

I stayed at Playa Requeson Saturday night, then drove back to Loreto Sunday. My friends stayed over. They said they would come back today, but I will not be surprised if they stay longer.

The Sunday market was still open and had produce to sell when I arrived back in town about 1:30. The venders were yawning, had probably been up before dawn. I purchased aguacates (avocados), squash, roma tomatoes, radishes, grapefruit, apples, orange bell pepper, corn on cob, onions and garlic. The vendor and I laughed about the garlic being a "producto de China". Spent about 100 pesos.

Today, Monday, washed all my purchases in a vegie wash.

Now, back to my coffee and book